AV Unpacked – AV over IP
Welcome back to another instalment of AV Unpacked!
If you’ve spent any time in the AV or IT space recently, you’ve likely noticed a significant shift. Traditional matrix switchers, heavy copper cabling and siloed AV setups are increasingly taking a backseat to something much more flexible and scalable.
This month, I’m unpacking AV over IP (Audio-Visual over Internet Protocol or AVoIP), the technology transforming how we route, manage and experience audio and video.
The What
At its core, AV over IP refers to the transmission of audio, video and control signals over standard network infrastructure, such as Ethernet cables, switches and routers, rather than traditional dedicated AV cabling and matrix switchers.
Instead of treating AV as an isolated system, AVoIP digitises video and audio signals and sends them across standard Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs).
Simply put: your network switch becomes your video switcher.
This means audio and visual content can be distributed to different screens, rooms and even locations using the same type of network infrastructure that businesses already use for other technology.
The Why
For decades, traditional AV architecture worked well, but it can become restrictive when organisations need to expand or adapt their systems.
That’s one of the main reasons we’re seeing more businesses move towards AVoIP.
Scalability is a major advantage. Traditional matrix switchers are bound by a fixed number of physical ports. Once those are filled, expanding the system can mean investing in additional hardware. With AVoIP, additional encoders and decoders can be added as the network grows, provided the necessary network capacity is available.
There’s also the infrastructure itself. Running specialist AV cabling over long distances can quickly become expensive. AVoIP can make use of standard Category cabling such as Cat6/Cat6a and fibre optics, which can simplify installations across larger sites.
And importantly, it helps bring AV and IT closer together.
For years, AV and IT departments often operated as separate worlds. AVoIP bridges that gap by allowing AV signals to use network infrastructure alongside other business systems, while also making centralised management and troubleshooting possible.
The How
An AVoIP system typically comes down to three core components:
Encoders sit at the source – for example, a laptop, camera or media player – and convert the audio and video signal into data that can travel across the network.
Network switches form the backbone of the system, routing that data from the required source to the appropriate destination.
Decoders sit at the display end – such as a projector, monitor or LED wall – receiving the data and converting it back into the video and audio that the audience sees and hears.
Add a software control layer and users can route different sources to different screens with a simple tap on a touch panel.
The technology behind it may be complex, but from the user’s perspective, the experience should be straightforward.
Why it Matters
AVoIP isn’t just a technical upgrade. It can change how organisations think about AV across the workplace, education environments, digital signage and live events.
Imagine a corporate headquarters where content from a boardroom can be shared with digital signage in the lobby, an overflow training room on another floor or potentially another office location.
Rather than individual rooms operating as isolated AV environments, the technology becomes part of a much more connected system.
For organisations, that can mean greater flexibility as requirements change, easier expansion and more opportunities to make use of content and AV technology across different spaces.
From our experience at AV One, the important thing is making sure the AV and network requirements are considered together from the outset. AVoIP brings the worlds of AV and IT much closer together, so collaboration between those responsible for both is an important part of designing a system that works effectively.
Final Thoughts
AV over IP has moved from being the “next big thing” to becoming an increasingly established approach to AV distribution.
Making the transition from traditional matrix switching requires careful planning and a strong understanding of both AV and network infrastructure, but it can give organisations a much more flexible and scalable way of managing their technology.
As AV and IT continue to converge, the question for many organisations isn’t simply whether AVoIP has a place in their technology strategy, but where it can add the most value.